Plumb-level



(No Model.)

F. SONNTAG. PLUMB LEVEL.

Patented A111126, 1887.

gmwyes Imam?? UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE..

FREDERICK SONNTAG, OF FORT ATKINSON, WISCONSIN.

PLUME-LEVEL.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 361,728, dated April 26, 1887 Application filed February 1, 1886. Serial`N0. 190,425. (No model.)

To all 11,171,071?! it may concern.-

Beit known that I, FREDERICK SONNTAG, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fort Atkinson, in the county of Jefferson and State of Visconsin, have invented a new and useful Plumb-Rule for Mechanical Use, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in plumbing-rules to be used in adjusting plumblines, angles, levels, &c., in which a pendulum-needle is used instead of a vial of spirits or cord and ball; and my object'- is, first, to

provide against the action of the wind upon the mechanism; second, adapting it to adjustment for various angles with all the precision that a perpendicular line can be adj usted by the old plumb line and ball, with no wind to disturb. I attain these objects by the meehanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side View of my plumb rule or staff. Fig. 2 is also a side view of the same with the cover B removed, showing the inside mechanism. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of Fig. Leut at dotted line x x. Fig. 4 is also a longitudinal section of the staff A,Fig. 1,eX- cept the pivot upon which the plumb-needle is hung, the change of which will be more fully explained hereinafter.

Similarletters refer to similar parts througlr out the several views.

The rule or staff A is constructed of the best hard wood, three and one-half inches wide and one and one-half inches thick, dressed straight,two and one-half feet long. One side is rabbeted to receive the cover B, rabbeted one-half an inch, leaving one-half an inch at each edge of the staff the full thickness, as

. shown in Figs. l and 2. The cover Bis seclear of the sides of the chamber A' until checked by the upper end coming into contact with the sides.

Fig. 4. shows the plumb-needle C" suspended upon a pivot similar to that of the needle of a compass. The metal needle-rest D' is provided with a countersink, in which the point d rests. The needle is shown formed about the rest so as to balance itself and at the same time prevent the point d from lifting out of the countersink D', and thereby secures it against any accidental displacement.

In Fig. 3 a glass, a a, is shown secured in the hole E of each piece A and B, and upon the inner side ofeach glass is marked a scale, Figs. 1 and 2, to which the needle C C' points, to indicate the position of the staff A.

It will be observed that a ball and line77 is the oldest device known to be used for the purpose of adjusting plumb-lines, and still is acknowledged the most accurate principle known. It will also be observed that my weighted pendulum-needle embodies the same principle and accuracy, and is not liable to be affected by the wind, nor liable to the breakage of a cord by an accidental fall.

I do not intend to claim, broadly,aweighted plumb-needle suspended in the chamber of a plumb-rule, it having been used prior to my invention; but

Vhat I do claim as my improvement, for which I desire to secure Letters Patent of the United States, is

In combination with the plumbstock A, provided with a longitudinal chamber, A', circular aperture E in the sides, for exposing the upper end of needle C", the vertical weighted plumb-needle C", provided with a vertical pointed pivot, d, and a rest, D', with the needle C" turned about it so as to balance upon the point of pivot d, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

FREDERICK SONNTAG. [1.. s]

Vitnesses:

C. A. CAsWELL, TnoMAs CRANE. 

